2014 Seat Alhambra steering wheel

188Driving
seat belt. In vehicles with a manual gearbox the clutch pedal should also be
pressed to the floor before starting the engine so that the system recogni-
ses that the parking brake should be released.
Emergency braking function
Only use the emergency braking function if the vehicle cannot be stopped
with the brake pedal ⇒ 
!
● Pull button 
hard to stop the vehicle. The warning display will be ac-
companied by the corresponding audible warning.
● To stop the braking process, release the button or press the accelerator.
WARNING
The incorrect use of the electronic parking brake may result in serious ac-
cident.
● Never use the electronic parking brake to brake the vehicle except in
an emergency. The braking distance is considerably longer, because
braking is only applied to the rear wheels. Always use the foot brake.
● Never accelerate from the engine compartment with the engine run-
ning and a gear or a gear range engaged. The vehicle could move, even if
the parking brake is applied.
Note
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: When the clutch pedal is released
and the accelerator pressed at the same time, the electronic parking brake
is automatically released.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it will not be possible to disconnect the elec-
tronic parking brake. Use the jump-start ⇒ page 341.
● When the electronic parking brake is applied or released, noises may be
heard.
● If the electronic parking brake has not been used for a long while, the
system sometimes performs automatic and audible checks while the vehi-
cle is at a standstill. Parking
When parking your vehicle, all legal requirements should be observed.
To park the vehicle
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
●
Park the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒ 
.
● Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill.
● Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 187.
● For an automatic gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
● Switch off the engine and release the brake pedal.
● Remove the key from the ignition.
● If necessary, turn the steering wheel slightly to lock the steering.
● With a manual gearbox, engage the 1st gear on flat ground and slopes,
or even the reverse gear on hills, and release the clutch pedal.
● Ensure that all passengers leave the vehicle, especially children.
● When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with you.
● Lock the vehicle.
Additional information for steep slopes and hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the steering wheel so that if the vehi-
cle should move then it will be held by the kerb.
● On slopes, turn the front wheels so that they are against the edge of the
kerb.
● Uphill, turn the wheels towards the centre of the road. 

191
Driving
Brake assist systems
The brake assist systems ESC, ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL only operate when
the ignition is switched on. They contribute significantly to increasing active
safety.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC reduces the risk of skidding and increases the vehicle stability by brak-
ing individual wheels under specific driving conditions. ESC detects critical
handling situations, such as understeer, oversteer and wheelspin on the
driven wheels. The system stabilises the vehicle by braking individual
wheels or by reducing the engine torque.
The ESC has limits. It is important to realise that the ESC is also subject to
the laws of physics. ESC will not be able to deal with all situations with
which drivers may be faced. For example, if the road surface changes sud-
denly then ESC will not be useful in all cases. If the vehicle suddenly enters
a section covered by water, mud or snow then ESC will not provide assis-
tance in the same way as on dry ground. If the vehicle loses its grip on the
ground and moves on a film of water (aquaplaning), the ESC will not be able
to assist the driver to control the vehicle due to the loss of adherence with
the road surface preventing braking and steering. If the vehicle is driven
through series of bends at high speed, the ESC will not always be as effec-
tive: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driving is not the same as at reduced
speeds. When driving with a trailer, ESC does not provide the same amount
of vehicle control as without a trailer.
Adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic and weather conditions.
ESC cannot push the limits of the laws of physics; improve the transmission
available or maintain the vehicle on the road if a lack of driver attention cre-
ates an inevitable situation. Otherwise, ESC assists in maintaining vehicle
control in extreme situations and uses the movements of the steering made
by the driver to maintain the vehicle moving in the desired direction. If the
vehicle is driven at such a speed that it will leave the road before ESC can
intervene then the system cannot provide assistance. The ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL systems are incorporated into the ESC. The ESC
is always on. The ESC should only be turned off using the ASR button
⇒ 
Fig. 138 when traction is insufficient. Always remember to turn on the
ASR once more when the vehicle has traction again.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS can prevent the wheels from locking during braking until just before
the vehicle stops thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle and maintain
control. This means that, even during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:
● Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not remove your foot from the
brake pedal or reduce braking force!
● Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce braking force!
● Maintain vehicle direction when braking fully.
● When the brake pedal is released or when the brake force is reduced,
ABS is turned off.
ABS control can be observed by vibration of the brake pedal and noise. You
should never expect the ABS to reduce the braking distance under any cir-
cumstances. Braking distances will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy and slippery ground.
When driving on loose ground, the all-terrain configuration of the ABS is au-
tomatically turned on. When ABS is activated, the front wheels may lock
briefly. This shortens the braking distance in off-road situations as the
wheels are prevented from digging into loose surfaces. All-terrain ABS only
intervenes when driving in a straight line. When the front wheels are turned,
the normal ABS is activated.
Brake assist system (BAS)
The brake assist system may reduce the required braking distance. The
brake assist system boosts the braking force if you press the brake pedal
quickly in an emergency. As a result, the braking pressure increases rapidly,
the braking force is multiplied and the braking distance is reduced. This en-
ables the ABS to be activated more quickly and effectively. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

198Driving
Start-Stop Function*
Fig. 141 Detailed view of
the centre console: Start-
Stop function button
In Start-Stop mode, the engine is automatically switched off when the vehi-
cle is at a standstill. The engine restarts automatically when required.
The function is enabled automatically whenever the ignition is switched on.
The instrument panel displays information on the current status.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, leave it in neutral and take your foot
off the clutch. The engine switches off.
● Simply depress the clutch pedal to move off again.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, depress the brake or keep it pressed
down. The engine switches off.
● The engine will start again as soon as you release the brake pedal.
● With the selector lever set to position P, the engine will not start until a
range of gears is selected or the accelerator pedal is depressed. Important conditions for the engine to automatically switch off
●
The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The driver door must be closed.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The factory-fitted towing bracket must not be electrically connected to a
trailer.
● A minimum engine temperature has been reached.
● The steering wheel must not be turned more than 270 degrees.
● The vehicle has moved since the last stop.
● In vehicles with Climatronic: The temperature inside the vehicle is within
the preset temperature range.
● The temperature set is neither very high nor very low.
● The air conditioning defrost function is not switched on.
● In vehicles with Climatronic: the blower has not been manually set to a
high speed.
● The power level of the vehicle's battery is sufficient.
● The vehicle's battery temperature is neither too high nor too low.
● The vehicle is not on a steep gradient or slope.
● The front wheels are not overly turned.
● The heated windscreen is not switched on.
● Reverse gear is not engaged.
● The park assist system is not switched on.
Conditions for automatically restarting the engine
The engine may automatically restart under the following conditions:
● If the vehicle interior is too hot or too cold.
● If the vehicle moves.
● If the vehicle's battery voltage drops.
Conditions requiring the key to restart the engine
The engine must be started using the key under the following conditions: 

199
Driving
● If the driver unbuckles his/her seat belt.
● If the driver door is opened.
● If the bonnet is opened.
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: If a gear has been selected.
Switching Start-Stop mode on and off manually
● Press the 
button on the centre console ⇒ 
Fig. 141.
● The button will light up when the Start-Stop function is switched off.
The engine will start immediately if the vehicle is in Stop mode when it is
switched off manually.
WARNING
The brake servo and the power steering do not work when the engine is
switched off.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off.
CAUTION
Using the Start-Stop function for a long period at very high outside tempera-
tures could damage the vehicle's battery.
Note
● In some cases, you may have to restart the vehicle using the key. Ob-
serve the corresponding message on the instrument panel display.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than 270°, Stop will not function;
however, the angle of steering wheel turn does not affect starting the vehi-
cle. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

206Driving
Parking
● Parking parallel to the road: Drive next to the gap at a speed of no more
than 40 km/h (25 mph) and at a distance of between 0.5 m and 2 m.
● Parking perpendicular to the road: Drive next to the gap at a speed of no
more than 20 km/h (12 mph) and at a distance of between 0.5 m and 2 m.
● The best parking results will be achieved if you position the vehicle as
parallel as possible to the line of parked cars or the kerb.
● When a suitable parking place is displayed on the instrument panel,
stop and select reverse gear.
● Follow the instructions given on the instrument panel display
● Then, release the steering wheel when the warning signal sounds ⇒ 
:
The system will move the steering wheel! Observe the surrounding area.
● Observe the surrounding area and accelerate carefully at a maximum of
up to 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The park assist system is only responsible for moving the steering wheel
during the manoeuvre. The driver applies the accelerator, the clutch, the
gears and the brake.
● Follow the instructions given by the park assist system until the ma-
noeuvre is completed.
● The park assist system steers the vehicle forwards and backwards until
it is in a straight position in the parking space.
● The manoeuvre is complete when the corresponding indication is given
on the instrument panel display.
Stopping the parking manoeuvre
The park assist system stops the manoeuvre in the event of one of the fol-
lowing:
● Press button 
.
● When driving faster than 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● The parking manoeuvre has not been completed after six minutes since
the park assist system was activated. ●
A sliding door is opened. To restart the manoeuvre, close the sliding
door and press the button 
again.
● There is a system malfunction (system temporarily unavailable).
● The ASR system is switched off or the ASR or ESC is working.
WARNING
The steering wheel turns quickly by itself when parking using the park
assist system. Placing your hand between the steering wheel spokes
could lead to injuries.
Note
● The park assist system has its limitations. For example, it is not possible
to park on tight bends using the park assist system.
● Even if the park assist system recognises that there is not enough space
for parking the vehicle, the instrument panel display will still show this
place. In this case, the parking manoeuvre should not be requested.
● Changing gears between forward and reverse gears before indicated
(that is, before the signal from the parking sensor system) the parking re-
sults may not be ideal.
● For parallel parking (parallel to the road), a sound will tell the driver
when they must change from forward gears to reverse; the signal from the
parking sensor system does not indicate changes of direction.
● The park assist can also be activated afterwards, if you pass close to a
parallel parking space at a maximum of 40 km an hour (25 mph) or close to
a perpendicular parking space at about 20 km an hour (12 mph) and then
press the 
button.
● The progress bar on the screen of the instrument panel shows a display
of the relative distance to be covered.
● When the Park Assist system is turning the steering wheel of the stop-
ped vehicle the symbol  is also displayed. Press on the brake pedal so
that the steering can turn with the vehicle at a standstill and thus reduce
the number of manoeuvres. 

207
Driving
● A suitable parking space length is at least 1.1 m greater than the length
of the vehicle.
● If the results of the park assist system are not as good after changing
the wheels, the system must memorise the perimeter of the new wheels.
This process is performed automatically while the vehicle is in motion. To
help this process, turn slowly (at less than 20 km/h (12 mph)), e.g. in an
empty car park. 
Leaving a parking space using the Park Assist system
Driving off
● Switch on the engine.
● Press button 
. When the function is enabled, the button
⇒ Fig. 146
will light up.
● Apply the turn signal for the side on which you want to leave the parking
space.
● Select reverse gear.
● Follow the instructions given by the park assist system.
● When the next indication appears, release the steering wheel ⇒ 
in
Parking using the park assist system on page 206: The system will move the
steering wheel! Observe the surrounding area.
● Observe the surrounding area and accelerate carefully at a maximum of
up to 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The park assist system is only responsible for moving the steering wheel
during the manoeuvre. The driver applies the accelerator, the clutch, the
gears and the brake.
● When it is possible to leave the parking space, the Park Assist system
will stop. Take control of the steering and when traffic conditions permit,
leave the parking space. Automatic stoppage of the manoeuvre
The park assist system stops the manoeuvre in the event of one of the fol-
lowing:
●
When driving faster than 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● A sliding door is opened. To restart the manoeuvre, close the sliding
door and press the button 
again.
● There is a system malfunction (system temporarily unavailable).
● The ASR system is switched off or the ASR or ESC is working.
WARNING
The steering wheel turns quickly automatically when leaving a parking
space using the park assist system. Placing your hand between the steer-
ing wheel spokes could lead to injuries.

Park Assist brake operation
The Park Assist system helps the driver by braking automatically. Automatic
braking does not relieve the driver of responsibility for controlling the accel-
erator, brake and clutch ⇒ 
.
Braking to avoid damage at excess speed
It is possible that the system operates the brakes to reduce excess speed.
The parking manoeuvre can then continue. The brakes will intervene during
each parking process.
Braking to minimise damage
When approaching an obstacle, the vehicle may brake automatically. In cer-
tain circumstances (for example, storm, detection of ultrasounds, vehicle
status, load, inclination), the Park Assist system may stop the vehicle com-
pletely before an object. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

212Driving
Summary of the orientation points
Meaning of orientation lines displayed on the screen ⇒ Fig. 150. All of the
lengths of the orientation lines use a vehicle located on a horizontal surface
as reference.
Red Safety distance: road area located up to around 40 cm behind the
vehicle.
Green: prolongation of the rear of the vehicle (somewhat enlarged). The
area displayed green ends around two metres behind the vehicle, on
the road.
Yellow: prolongation of the rear of the vehicle as the steering wheel
turns. The area displayed yellow ends around three metres behind the
vehicle, on the road.
Parking
● Stop the vehicle in front of a space and select reverse gear.
● Reverse slowly and turn the steering wheel so that the yellow orientation
lines guide you towards the space ⇒ Fig. 150 3
.
● Align the vehicle straight in the parking place using the help of the
green orientation lines. 
1
2
3
Parking parallel to the road (mode 2)
Fig. 151 Display: orien-
tation lines and surfaces
for the space behind the
vehicle
After applying the turn signal, the lines and surfaces not required are de-
leted.
Summary of the orientation points
Meaning of orientation lines and surfaces displayed on the screen
⇒  Fig. 151. All of the lengths of the orientation lines use a vehicle located
on a horizontal surface as reference.
Safety distance: road area located up to around 40 cm behind the vehi-
cle.
Vehicle side limit.
Turning point when parking. When the yellow line touches the curb or
another limit of the parking space, the point for changing direction
(magnifying glass) will have been reached.
Free space required to park the vehicle parallel. The surface displayed
must completely fit in the space.
Possible vehicle parked next to the curb. 
1
23
4
5

213
Driving
Parking
● Stop the vehicle 1 m away parallel to the parking space and select re-
verse gear.
● Switch on mode 2 on the navigation system screen for parallel parking.
● Slowly reverse and turn the steering wheel so that the surface displayed
yellow on the screen stops in front of any obstacles 5
(e.g. another vehi-
cle).
● Turn the steering wheel fully towards the space and reverse slowly.
● When the yellow line 3
touches the side limit of the space, e.g. the bor-
der or curb (magnifying glass), turn the steering wheel fully in the opposite
direction.
● Continue reversing until the vehicle is inside the space, parallel to the
road. Correct the position if necessary. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications